Season Is Over

Dave's season ended last night with a loss to NWA after a 5 game series. It was a tough loss, as they had done pretty well in the series winning the first and third games. They just ran out of pitching. And Eric Hosmer got in teh way.

The series was to begin last Wednesday, but they were rained out so they began Thursday and Dave pitched on Friday. He didn't do bad but he didn't do good, and the team didn't respond with offense. He struggled, but hey, that's the way it goes.

It's been a year since Dave went to NY for surgery on his elbow and I remember wondering at the time how it would affect this year. His shoulder was fine, no issues at all, but the elbow has given him some issues since late July. It was a good season, he stayed off the DL!

He leaves in the morning from Springfield to head to see the doc in STL to make sure all is ok, he will pick Lauren up at the STL airport, spend a day or two in STL and then slowly head back home, going to Atlanta and Orlando before they arrive in south Florida. It will be a good time for them to have some alone time, and share some time that doesn't include baseball.

The waiting game begins, we'll see if the Cardinals protect him in November which means a spot on the 40 man roster.

I am not sure if anyone is still reading, but for those of you that have and kept in touch, it's appreciated.

I am hoping that sometime next season, I will be able to give my perspective from a ML player's parent's point of view.

I hope that things are going well for all of your players, enjoy every moment, it goes by so quickly.

Here is a story that was written about DK, it was the perfect story ending to a really perfect season for him.

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20100905/SPORTS02/9050332/1002/SPORTS/Kopp-s-comeback-the-big-story-of-2010-for-Springfield-Cardinals

The Wait Is Over

Springbirds won the wild card, team heads out to NWA tomorrow for the best of 5 game series for division champ, Dave pitches on Thursday.

It's gonna be tough, they lost a few key players, we'll just see how it goes.

Waiting

Dave actually pitched a few days ago, he did very well, left after completing 6, but the struggling bull pen gave it up and it was a no decision. He did his job, and in this game, that's all you can do. I have noticed though since the pitching has improved the hitting has come to a crawl, though he did get robbed the other night, hit just to the wall and caught, if not could have been a double.

So I have been waiting to post for a few days, to announce whether they will head to playoffs, but it just hasn't happened yet, the team gave up their destiny by losing this week a few times now waiting for NWA and Tulsa to finish it off. Tulsa is on a mission, and won't give up. I can't blame them, they have been second in the division most of second season, the only reason they would not go, is because NWA, who has been in first place all second half, won the first half so the rules say the next team in for playoffs would be the one with the best recored. The birds were up by about 7 games, but have lost quite a few, just in teh past week.
If NWA wins tonight the birds are in, if not, then it comes down to the last regular season game tomorrow.

In the meantime, I heard that the birds transport the celebratory bubbly from clubhouse to clubhouse.

As of now the game is tied, again. Will check back tomorrow.

Winding Down

I am listening to the last home game as I type this post. Just 7 games left after tonight, on the road. It came and went so fast.

Not for my player though. He won last night, pitched really well, only stayed in for 6. The Springbirds are most likely heading for the playoffs, so that means for Dave another 2, maybe 3 more games. He's tired, he's worn out, he's using all his inner stuff to keep focused.

Dave is 12-4, is second in wins, 6th in ERA with 3.13. He was named today to the post season TL All Star Team, good stuff for his resume. But that is not what he sees as an achievement, being able to for the first time since 2007 to finish an entire season without the DL has been what he has worked for, we are proud of him for that. It's easy sometimes to go on the 7 day DL. Guys need some rest, time off and it's usually granted. He told me he just couldn't imagine going another month as a pitcher, he's logged more than he ever has. It's not easy to see why pitchers break down. I don't care what anyone says, it's just so mind boggling.

Not much else to report these days, I think that I have laid out as much as I can think of, I do have a story to tell, but will save that for the end. I am sorry that we are not able to get back to Springfield, unfortunetly we have some things going on here at home and daughter having her wedding reception in October, things to do, and travel money going towards a wedding. But, next year, planning on doing more travel while he is in AAA, lots of neat places to go, Memphis, New Orleans, Las Vegas, and to the new stadium in Omaha. Notice that I have left out the main destination, STL. Perhaps we will get to visit there again, I don't like to talk about those things in advance, who knows he could be somewhere else by that time.

Just one of those games

It wasn't a good night, not at all. Both starters were pulled before the fifth. I am not sure they were both that bad or the umpiring was worse, two and a half hours after the start they were just into the fifth. Tight zone, he wasn't giving anything.
Usually the day after a long travel day, 13-14 hours they have off, but yesterday was game day. The worst part was, while usually traveling on long road trips in two buses, one bus broke down in San Antonio, so everyone, players, coaches, media had to pile in one bus, no one slept, though they tried, except for DK, who was flown home the day before, the idea to get a good nights sleep in his own bed for his start. It didn't work, he was flat, the team was flat. He took a bad loss and so did the team against the league leading NW Naturals.

But how does a really good night's sleep help a team? Tonight, birds up 8-2 in the ninth!

The Mummy

Got this pic last night after the game, now it's ice on the shoulder, ice on the elbow and ice on the hand. Ball hit the lover nub on the bat last night close to Dave's hands and for some reason it got all black and blue, though he claims he never actully got hit, really doesn't know what happened or do I at this point.

Win #11, we got to watch on milb video and he pitched very well, in fact in the last 13.1 innings he has 6H, 2ER, 1BB (intentional) and 8 SO. He is tied for wins and losses in AA (with more innings) and a 3.10 ERA. about 5 or 6 highest in the league.

It was a good game, pitcher's dual.

Look like the Springbirds will make playoffs, as long as Northwest Arkansas remains in the first place spot in the division, the Birds will get the second spot for playoffs. Of course things change, but as far as I know they are planning games in Sept. at Hammons Field.

It seems like forever since the season began, but now coming to a close it seems too short, not for the players though, most of them are spent out, and ready to come home.

Next start is Tuesday after a series in San Antonio. Dave gets to fly home ahead of the team on Monday, he gets to miss the 13-14 hour bus ride home that comes in a few hours before the game. I don't know how that worked out, usually after a trip like that there is a day off, but there are no days off now until 9/7.

Win # 10

Scroll down for "What might have been, Kopp wonders too".

http://blogs.news-leader.com/cardinals/

It's very hard sometimes as a parent to know just what is going on inside your player's head. Perhaps a personal best game just wasn't thought of as personal best. I remember the days getting the W was joyful, things change.

Yes, my son was born with many gifts. He didn't always work as hard as he should, taken care of business always the way we thought he should, and has had a hard time figuring out how to use what he was blessed with. It's a process and we stepped back a while ago, letting him try to figure it out himself, as it should be, in my opinion.

I have to laugh sometimes when people have made comments thinking that is has come so easy for him. They don't know about the personal struggles.

I posted the article because I wanted those that follow to just understand HOW difficult the climb in pro ball is, even for one with the gifts.

Springfield is on a mission, even with losing their best hitter to the big club and mow maybe down to AAA to cover. I am very proud to think that son may be instrumental in setting a good example and giving support in helping the team work as a unit, for a common goal. I told him that, but he will never understand that no matter what happens, we will be more proud of the person he is, not just the pitcher.

Who says pitchers can't hit?

It wasn't the best of pitching outings raised his ERA, but DK went 3 for 3 and crossed home plate on saturday. His last hit, to the wall, hit the ground and bounced back over the wall, ruled a double. Too bad that the wall was in the way or it would have been out of the park! He got the W and he had a blast. That's good, because we don't always have fun at work, right? His record in AA stands at 9-3, much better than the his month at AAA, so the year record is 9-8. Hopefully he'll get some more W's in the next coming weeks.
Now my husband is on a rant, should have sticked to hitting, always a good contact hitter, too bad Pops, your son can't run fast!

Lauren flew out to Springfield for a week, gets to watch one start, originally 2, but that changed with a push back. Last week they inserted ML rehabber Kyle Lohse, unfortunetly he didn't do too well and we lost. Every game is important now, to make the playoffs. Springbirds are only one game out of second in their division, it's gonna be a fight next couple of weeks, playing the Tulsa Drillers (one game ahead of them) right down to the last week of regular games. Pitching has been good, offense and defense excellent!

I think that Dave likes being back in Springfield, it's a nice town with a great atmosphere for Cardinal fans, he's making the best of it and for that we are proud.

For those going off to college, it's right around the corner! Been six years since we sent DK off to Clemson, where did those years go? I hope that all of your players have as good an experience as mine did. The best years of baseball are yet to come!

One month to go

Going into the stretch towards playoffs, my son has had a pretty good summer. Even with a struggle in AAA he has managed to take back with him what he has learned. We told him it didn't matter, as long as his shoulder felt good (which it has). That meant, mo matter what, a successful summer. Unfortunetly something else has come up.

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20100802/SPORTS02/8020373/Pitchers-shine-in-doubleheader-split

The elbow has been cranky off and on since June, seems to be elbow tendinitous, the only cure would be rest, he won't do it. Instead he has resigned himself to let them hit him to cut down time on the mound, and let his defense do the job, which they have been doing, but in the first game the lefty shut them down. In the second game, the birdies lefty shut the other guys down, that's just how it works sometimes. BTW, the HR was from a lefty, something son struggles against at times and he made a mistake, and mistakes cost you bigtime.

But he had a great game, goes in the record as a complete one, which is good because those 3 innings last monday don't count. And his ERA in AA is terrific.

He told me today he felt ok, the medication seems to be working, he's bound determined to make a full season.

Monday Night's Start

Nada. Nothing. Zippo

Into the 4th inning the lightening came and then the skies opened up, game postponed. That means, no game actually exists until they finish it, sometime in August. No score, both pitchers in command.

Dave got off to a good start, he said "all that hard work for nothing".

Oh well, that's baseball!

Sorry for the absence

Hi all, sorry about that, had a problem with my blog here, but now back to normal.
Dave lost his first game after returning to AA. He pitched better than he had in the previous 5 games, but again, he got another ML guy trying to make it back and he quieted the bats. Lot of this has to do with how your team performs that night on the field and at the plate. Oh well.
The Springbirds have been on a tear since his return, lost only two in like 6-7 games and last night they scored 15 runs. I text him before every game, keep them pumped, and he laughs.

Now in a series with the first place Naturals, and they are taking a beating from the birdies.

Here's another great article written by Kary Booher (and some good picks too). Again, my son has been so lucky to work with these special people, who want to share their knowledge. Funny, these kids are trying to make it to the next level and so is their pitching coach! I guess no matter what age you are, in this game most can never give it up.

DK pitches tomorrow night, after 6 straight losses , it's time for a win! Please!

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20100725/SPORTS02/7250361/Giving-back-to-the-game

Here's the Latest

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20100719/BLOGS01/100719028/Rotation-boost---Kopp-returns-to-Springfield

I kind of feel relieved, son says it is what it is. He'll do what he has to, he worked really hard to try to earn his prospect status back this year, it was all going downhill.

Why not let him finish the season as it began, on a good note, I guess someone thought it best they did.

My husband called him today to have a chat in between flights, he sounded pretty down, but he reminded him that he needs to learn from the situaton, you can't learn if it comes easy and it's not failure (as most never see AAA) but an opportunity to learn from when you are at the bottom, we all know that's what it is all about.

He also joked about being back in his own bed and back with his truck, he got a chuckle from him.

Not a good night

Just one of those nights didn't even make it through the 4th. I wasn't there so I can't make conclusions, but it sounded kind of ugly (no video), 6-1 if they don't catch up, it will be his 5th loss. That's a problem also, his team has been changed, rearranged many times even since Dave has gone up and no one is hitting. The pitcher who Dave replaced, Adam Ottavino, a first pick for the Cards in 2006, needs shoulder surgery, slap tear. So much for the discussion that it's ok to pitch frequently from the mound when young. At least he made it to the 40 man, he has to remain there and gets the benefit of being paid more money.

It's now 7-1, time to retire for the night.

I am not sure if he will remain, how much does a guy have to struggle before he begins to lose the confidance he had this summer. Perhaps I am just looking at it too much from a moms perspective, but I hope that this isn't going to be it for the rest of the summer...a struggle.

It was good to see Dave, he looks like he lost some weight from the last time we saw him in May, and we didn't talk that much baseball, the little we saw him, but we got an interesting perspective of life in triple A.

Another loss but a personal best

DK really had a much improved outing last night, and he went 6 full, not sure why they sent him back in the 7th with a pitch count of 93, maybe because the bull pen has been blowing up and a double header the night before. The best news is he is adjusting, and in this game it is about adjustments. You can have all the talent in the world, if you don't adjust, you are out.

He also drove in the only run the Redbirds put up on the board. I think this is mainly due to the fact that most of the lineup is really, really tired, it has been a tough travel schedule for them all season, one of the worst ever they have had, lost of injuries at the big club pulling the better hitters up. STL has a lot of issues right now up there and talking trades, should be interesting to see what unfolds until the trade deadline. The cards raped their farm last year and realize if they do it again they are in trouble for prospects, but the main focus is on the big club, they have to decide if whoever they choose, will the end result be worth giving up their future. They took on Brad Penny and Jeff Suppan this year (the latter being a former cardinal) and both out with injuries, that hurts for sure. Those injuries were a big factor in why son was moved up. So as you can see, one players injury is another players opportunity. Pujols has been having a tougher year and Holliday as well, along with two other injuries to starting position guys.

On a sadder note, my son's BF was released yesterday. Drafted same year as Dave, as a senior sign with TJSduring college draftedu in the third round, I am not sure what went down, he has been battling some other injury issues which were never really fully taken care of, a hip issue, shoulder issues, probably no surgury because he was older as it was and surgury would put him back further, he was with an organizatio that is not considered a very good one on the milb level. I think that they got to a point where he was better, then released him (you can't release an injured player). He did so well his first season (short) he was moved to AA, then moved back to short season as they needed help there, then went off to play summer ball and has not been able to get out of high A since that time.

This might be a good thing, maybe some organization will pick him up, relief pitchers needed this time of year to pick up the slack when pitchers are tired and can't get through 5. Working with a team with a better reputation for producing good players from their farm may help.

Or perhaps at this time he is ready to hang it up.

Will see my player tomorrow, I know he is looking forward to coming home for some home cookin'.

Will get back here, after the break, hope that everyone is doing well. I know this is a busy time, besides playing it's getting ready for college again or for the first time, lots of stuff to buy!

Some good stuff

My husband came across this article by Kary Booher of the Springfield New Leader, Kary used to wrote for Baseball America if the name sounds familiar.
http://www.news-leader.com/section/SPORTS
If this link doesn't work after this post, it will be there "Kopp gets chance for a change".

It'snice to see something positive written, when you go from 8-2 to 0-3 it becomes "what's wrong with that guy". Or if you have a bad outing, this guy is no good why they call him up, or he doesn't have ML stuff.

The other night Dave's teammate was called up, second call up but first time on the mound, at Coors, he got the loss in relief. His mom made a post, it was very poignant, a moment that she waited for how badly she felt how he was thrown out there ( you know a parents perspective), but reality is, she is in a place that many parents would love to be in. She wrote to the fans on the board to let them know that often times fans post things about the young guys still learning and have no clue what is going on. Good for her.

Next start tomorrow, then flies home sunday late pm for 3 days!

The Struggle

Well, third start in AAA and it was tough, wow, it's really much different than expected. Maybe a game or two to settle in, it's not happening. He's bummed, I am in trouble for expressing my thoughts, you know those words that you try to find for some comfort and it comes out all wrong. Not excuse stuff, just the "look at the good side" type of stuff. Oh well, I am in the doghouse. I apologized, I know it's hard to go from 8-1 to 0-3, I should have been more sensitive. That's not like me, but sometimes we as parents do mess up.

My son has the skills, he just has a hard time finding his way sometimes, it happened in college, it happened last year when he was sent back from AA to high A. Each time he took something away from each experience and worked on it, I just reminded him of that. and how hard he worked after a few times on the DL. And then I went into the "sometimes you got to hit the bottom to pick yourself back up". He wasn't buying it. Not sure if it is the uncertainty of being sent down again, but hey, that is a HUGE part of this business, happens to the big leaguers too.

Another pitcher is being called up for big league support, Brad Penny, you know one of those older guys who signed a one year contract has been hurt since he started. The pitcher going up is 27, he was sent up once but sent back down, wasn't needed. Really getting thinned out at AAA. And talk is of getting another more experienced arm. That could mean trade and all the milb players start picking it up, they want out, not because they don't like the organization, but they know there is little room at the top for some of them. Catchers know they will never replace Molina, 1B guys will never replace Pujols. And then you have startering pitchers who will remain in the organization until their arms fall off.

That's just the way it is. Tough, tough business, it's times like these you wish that your player may have chosen a different path for work. Then you realize that the day it will stop is when he decides, we are just along for the ride.

I'll shut up now.

Happy 4th of July

Well son back in Memphis and his next start will be on Monday, I think in Texas. I can't keep up, AAA you are out of town more than you are in. Good preparation for the future.
Dave has no official home, he is now living like the stories you hear, out of a suitcase, and for now sleeps one night on the coach and the other night in a bed, great for the back!
If he stays he will be home for the PCL break, now we are considering a trip to Springfield, to pick up his things, his truck and head to Memphis. It works out pretty well AA is home and so is Memphis that week.
This is the time of the year that palyer movement is incredible, everyday someone is hurt, everyday someone is moving up, that's how it happens, that's how the door opens for you this time of year. They even moved up a recently drafted player from ss to full season.
They are also signing FA's, one a former Marlin released this year, he's in relief and in Memphis, which they needed as they let someone go. Another a former player who walked away in 2008. Not sure what the plans are for him. There's also talk that the Cardinals may consider trades this month, that means most likely young prospects going. And when Penny returns then a pitcher has to go down and we all know what that might mean. Interesting time of year I'll say!

Have a happy and safe 4th everyone!

Lettin' off some steam

Someone recently told me that most young players not on the 40 man roster don't enjoy AAA. I think I am beginning to understand why.

Son pitched today, he actually, in my opinion had a good game, though his lines do not indicate as such. He corrected a lot of things from the last game, he went after hitters and 60 of his 88 pitches were for strikes. That's an important stat for pitchers. Besides the park factors he was dealing with (his sinker wouldn't sink), it appeared to me (and remember this is from a parent's perspective) his team wasn't really into the game. But I hear, and I have seen in the past week that this may be the norm. I think that I understand why many teams advance players from AA straight to the major league, so for any player who is at the AA level, enjoy it and enjoy the fact that everyone is moving in the same direction, not different ones. I also understand why the best instructors are at the AA level, because in AAA it's figuring it out for yourself. That's difficult for a young player, I see a pitcher on son's team who is very young for the league struggling.

I will be the first to admit that son's 8-1 record in AA was also often a team effort. Those AA guys were doing everything they could to win the game, they too want to show their skills off so they can move forward as well. I don't see that in the AAA game. I was told that a lot has to do with not getting injured, they are the reserves, so they have to remain healthy or lose their job, I understand. But I don't get the lack of effort at bats. In other words, must be a bad day when the pitcher gets 2 doubles and brings in 2 of the 4 runs for the team. Well yes I know that no one thought the pitcher could hit, and the field is hitter friendly, but still, I didn't see much in the way of spectacular hitting for most of the game. Actually I see more effort from the game I am watching from Omaha than I did today.

I feel a lot better now. :)

The team flies back to Memphis tomorrow, tomorrow son is not allowed anymore paid room at the inn, so we'll see what the plan is.

I want to thank my friend Thor (Spizzlepop) Spangler for dropping into the game today to watch and report back. I hope that someday I can return the favor, for anyone. Baseball people (most of them) are special.

The above image is Isotope Park, home of the ABQ Isotopes (Dodgers AAA) and the University of New Mexico Lobos (D1 baseball).

Back to Springfield, not yet

Things change daily in AAA.

Dave flew to New Mexico on saturday morning with the team and is scheduled to pitch tomorrow (weather permitting if no rainout tonight). He will fly back to Memphis end of the week and as of today, will remain for another start. That's todays plan, who knows what tomorrow will bring, so we will just take it one day at a time. If he remains there through the All Star break, he has plans to fly home for 3 days.

As you can see, it's very difficult to plan in advance, we are waiting to see how it goes to see where to go to watch him pitch. Milb.TV streams the games, so we can actually watch him from here, good deal. BTW, he DID have his pants down, they are allowed in AAA, but he told me tonight he's thinking of putting them back up, you know, might improve the mojo. :)

Will check back tomorrow after the game.

Back to Springfield

Unfortunetly I missed DK's start last night, got an emergency call mom on the way to the hospital.

I haven't had a chance to watch yet, obviously he has some things to work on. Though overall not a bad game for a first new level start, just nibbled a bit too much. Nibbling is not a good thing. Something he hasn't done all season.

I was awaiting word before I posted what they were going to do with him, from my understanding he will fly to ABQ and I am to assume will be with the team then flown to Frisco for his next start.

He will miss the All Star game, not sure whether he cares about that.

No excuses but this was a tough week, flown to Memphis on a moments notice, then not sure when he would start, told thursday afternoon he would pitch that night and of all the luck the team faces a rehabbing ML. I am glad he gets to watch a few more games, that in itself is a learning experience and a chance to get to travel to New Mexico. Will he be disappointed, probably, he knew it was for a short time only, but the other pitcher got to stay, he's probably already heard how he is needed in Springfield, they are not off to a good start second half of season, will he be happy to be "home", probably, he has been on the road since June 17 and will not return until July 7th.
A few weeks ago when he thought he might have to fill in but didn't go he was disappointed, my feling is does it really matter where you get your work in? I also, in the few times I spoke to him didn't get the impression that AAA has all of the warm and fuzzy feelings you get below that level. I am glad he will return to work with Dennis.I remember last year when sent back from Springfield, after his surgery he was detrmined to work hard, I am sure this will fuel the fire.

For those wondering about the AAA level, what Dave told me and from what I read in an interview he had after the game, there is not a whole lot of difference between AA and AAA hitters except experience, and able to figure out pitchers faster than at the lower levels.

This just in, Dave will pitch on Tuesday in ABQ and then rejoin Springfield.

Up to AAA

Sunday DK called to wish Dad a very happy day, kind of had to cut it short as he needed to get into shower and be ready for the bus to go to the field. 30 minutes later we got another call, he was packing his stuff and on his way to Memphis to pitch in a double header on Wednesday. Great news on Father's Day.

I waited to post the news, as things seemed to be unclear as to "the plan" but as son is learning sometimes there just isn't a definite plan. You are at the mercy of what goes on at the next level. As of tonight, he is supposed to be pitching Thursday game, if a player is called up as expected, he will pitch on Saturday instead on the road. Got that. :)

He seemed a bit grumpy yesterday, Lauren agreed, we thought maybe he just didn't know what was going on he likes his pitching days planned out, he's anxious for his next start. Tonight he sounded less confused. Paul told him to just enjoy, take in the game, watch carefully, an opportunity most don't get as you are called up one day and sent down the next usually, now you have time to study and do your homework.

AAA serves one main purpose, IMO, to house the players on the 40 man roster who need to get in their time while getting called up (due to injuries) and back down (when the injured have recovered). It is now one hair's breath away from where you have worked for most your life.
As explained to Dad, the atmosphere is much different, everyone goes about their business in a business fashion. There is maturity, no clowning around, team filled with MLB players, ex MLB players, there is also a different type of relationship between players. You are now in the closest competition for a job with 4-5 guys than you have ever been. As far as the game, the setting is the same, a mound, homeplate, hitters and umpires, different location. These are grown men, not boys anymore.

According to the trainer, he's on the roster to leave for Albuquerque with the team end of week, so we will see how it all plays out.

I am expecting when all is said and done, Dave will be back to AA. But it's nice to wonder if he will make it back to Omaha this year!

Omaha and the CWS

This to me is one of the greatest sporting events I have ever attended. It should be a must on every family's list of things to do, once in a lifetime experience.

My son attended twice in HS while playing summer ball tournaments in Lincoln.

Each time he returned home he said the same thing, I am going to play in Omaha in Rosenblatt Stadium some day. I am almost postive that experience helped him to quietly go about his business to help to reach that dream.

When deciding where to attend and play college ball, he chose Clemson, thinking that with the recruits Sully had signed he had a good chance. Ironically, the first year the school he also seriously considered but turned down (UF) reached Omaha while Clemson did not (one game away).

In 2006 Clemson won their super regional to advance to Omaha as the #1 seed. For those interested, these are some of the details that occured that June.

When a team wins to advance, the NCAA hands each member and coaches their packets, this includes papers to be signed, hotel information, flight times and other particulars. Parents scramble to make hotel reservations, preferable in the hotel that the team is staying in. This is so neat because each team hotel is decorated with team colors with booths with team gear and cute stuff. The hotel staff wore Clemson shirts and they want their visiting team to win.

The players are flown in a chartered plane, with with motorcade whereever they travel thoughout the city. They arrive on wednesday, on thursday each team is given an autograph session for the public along with plenty of local press and ESPN in attendance and batting practice on the field. It was so much fun watching people line up to wait for autographs from your player and we as parents waited in the line with everyone else. That evening there are opening ceremonies where each team enters the field seperately. As they enter, there is a film showing how they made it to Omaha. This was followed by the NCAA awarding individuals with team high GPA, introduction of coaches, etc, followed by a magnificent display of fireworks that lasted about 40 minutes. Beautiful.

Each team is assigned a sponsor, those sponsors are their tour guides as well as responsible for a luncheon. The organization that sponsored Clemson held a BBQ in a park in the middle of nowhere, which was beautiful and a quiet getaway from the crowd that you will find in downtown Omaha. Along with the team, parents and boosters, maybe there was around 100.

For much of the day, we didn't get to see our player that much so we had a lot of time to enjoy the city on our own. The vendors that supply teams with gear are there to supply the teams with more gear. They give the players so much stuff. As soon as a team loses they are gone, if early day, they leave that afternoon, if evening it is the next morning. As quick as you come, you go, so there is an incentive there to keep winning to remain as long as you can. The people of Omaha as the best, and truely great examples of those good natured mid west folks. There doesn't seem to be enough places to eat downtown as people who want to eat, so lines for dinner are pretty incredible.

The best way to describe the streets around Rosenblatt Stadium that week is "outdoor circus". Vendor after vendor with everything imaginable, the people who live on the street turn their backyards into beer gardens. and charge a fortune for you to park on their lawn. The main parking lot is like an endless tailgate, that goes on for days and days and days. Little leaguers in their uniforms, everywhere, and then there are games and challenges for every age.

I remember vivedly waling up to Rosenblatt and seeing everthing in real live that I had seen on TV for years. it isn't as imposing as it appears on TV, all it is, a minor league stadium. What is absolutely out of sight is the site from the rear, I had never seen on TV, there Rosenbaltt sits on a huge hill, all lit up, my son described it as baseball heaven. It truely is.



It recently occured to me that someday son may return to play AAA in Omaha, but not to Rosenblatt, that truely saddens me, because although there will be a brand new state of the art facility to house the CWS, it will never be like Rosenblatt.

Kind of bummed that Florida got out early, but hoping the Tigers reach the championship game.


Wouldn't that game be special!

Oops!

In this game you take 10 steps forward then you go one step backwards. It's also a game where sometimes you don't have control over things. What a challenge!

Yesterday's game was against NWArkansas, first place in the division with Springfield hot on their heels. Big game, ERA leader Osuna for NWA, win leader Kopp for the redbirds, I guess everyone expected a pitcher's dual. NOT.

Now I don't like to make excuses, but I find it very strange that the ERA leader had more runs scored in this game than he did all season, and that other guy, who brings them in low and inside at 93-95, couldn't find the zone. Both pitchers lifted early. One coach and one player ejected (the other guys). Crazy stuff.

Final score, birds 12, NWA 9.

The announcer said what he thought could be a low scoring game, was a slugfest AND he commented the zone was so tight, pitchers were throwing done the middle. Ah, that may account for the 4 HR's hit in the game (maybe 5, I lost count).

Enough said. Either way, no win, no loss by either starting pitcher.

Thanks to all who sent good wishes regarding making the TL All Star game. I appreciate it. Only one thing, son is excited but admits he is very tired and would have liked the three day break. He's tired, the whole team is tired, a bit beat up and there is still 2 full months to go. His team is now on the road for 8 days.

BTW, we got the camo jersey, along with two hat giveaways and one Stan Musial bobblehead doll! Life is good!

Another Win!

Dave pitched a great game saturday night, scoreless until the 7th, but that happens. NO WALKS! The best part of this year, is that he gets himself out of jams, usually by forcing the groundball for the double play. That's a big consideration when considered for moving forward. That's big, getting out of teh trouble you found yourself in. He also has had some great run support but he is learning, as they tell him, each time you go out, no matter what the score, there is no score. That philosophy is a good one.
Dave is tied for most wins with one other pitcher in the Texas League, and tied with 3 others in all of AAA. He sports a good ERA and GO/AO rate. Everything is working for him this season.
By end of next week he should know if he will play in the TL All Star game, in Texas of all places. Hot Texas. A friend of mine told me that the leagues he plays in makes for tough players, hot humid Florida and hot, sometimes humid, dry TX, OK and AK. Then onto hot Memphis.

Great week for baseball, Florida and Clemson both go to Omaha, those boys don't know what a treat they have in store for them. An experience they will always remember, win or lose. For a week to 10 days, you are treated like a celebrity, and each and everyone of them deserves it, it's a tough road trying to get to Omaha. If anyone ever noticed on the back of the Tiger caps is written Omaha, that's the Clemson philosophy, each and every year the goal is to reach Omaha. That is what is passed down from coach to coach, so I am not surprised that each coach that has worked under Jack has success for post season play. Jack is one of those coaches who lets his coaches manage their players and he manages the coaches. That in itself makes him a winner. I feel sad when I hear about coaches who have to have control over every aspect of the game at their program, it's literally impossible. That's a good thing to try to find out in the recruiting process. We did, we were told that Jack was more or less the father figure and made sure the boys went to class, ran practice and the PR guy, the coaches were the ones the player worked with and Jack never interfered.
Not all here is baseball, on Wednesday my daughter will be getting married, just the folks and her grandma, then when it is more convenient for everyone in the fall we will have a reception. I guess at 34 when you are ready you don't let the moment pass waiting for everyone to be in the right place at the right time. She was kind of upset her brother couldn't leave his job to fly back, but that's not how it works when you are trying ot work your way up in this business.
Have a great week everyone!

2010 Draft Come and Gone

Been a busy week, lots of stuff going on then figured I would wait until after the draft to post. There is a good discussion going on over at the HSBBW, from a parent's perspective.
Congrats to those players and their families who got drafted, tough decisions to make for some, for those that did not get drafted and have other options, sit back relax enjoy and let it happen, if it's meant to be it will (happen), if not, there is a whole lot more to life than playing at the pro level.
Dave had a tough outing on Sunday, 94 degrees in San Antonio and over 100% humidity, Dave drank for days and days before, but by the 5th he was toasted, and had to really dig deep to get by for the win (7-1 and tied with no one for the second best record in the league) and of course support as always from the team. Another shut out. Wooo hoooooo! Lost 6 punds in that outing. Beleive it or not, his next start is saturday, well you know what we will be doing saturday night! Good night for baseball though, big crowds and big expectations.
The road trip began in Corpus Christi, 14-15 hours away from home, the team leaves early afternoon on tuesday. Then it's watch a movie, then it's time to try to sleep, no such luck. By the time they arrived back home, 8 days later, early on a tuesday after traveling all night long, it's eat time and then home to bed. Exhausting.

Forgot to add camo pics!

Another Win!

Cut our time short over on the west coast and headed back home for the game, it wasn't the best game, pitching a noon game is out of the ordinary, but he faired well. The team plays well when he pitches, and the run support has been very helpful.
Paul bid on the camo jersey and won, he says this will be the last time, but I doubt it. The American Cancer Society were the recipients of the auction, the lady who took our CC# told me that they sold every jersey for the highest bid allowed. I figured out that was about 6-7K. That's a great thing. Since Paul had seen DK in this jersey he says it was special. I think he's got his eye on the retro jersey too. It's too funny how much dads will spend on this kind of stuff. Husband is very careful when it comes to spending, but I am sure he would spend his last dime if he had to. He said he wants his grandchildren to someday have their dads jerseys..... yeah right!

The team left today at 4 pm for the 14-15 hour trip to Corpus Christi for three games there and three in San Antonio. Dave pitches better at home than on the road, he wil have one start on the road on Sunday, should be interesting to see how he does, but he has been on a roll lately, of the 9 starts, he has 6 wins, 1 loss and 2 no decisions. Best record he has ever had since HS. It's been a lot of fun to watch him blossom in a difficult league.

As far as getting to AAA, I think he's in a good place right now (he didn't like that I said that to him). He was put on notice that he might be called up to pitch AAA yesterday, that didn't happen, and IMO that's ok. This is just my parent opinion, but not sure how well these young guys can perform going up for a day (on the day you have to pitch) and then back down again the next day, but I suppose he might have to get used to it, at one point in time. :) As far as a call up to the show, the cards don't do that until they have to, unless they either want to trade you or protect you. They just aren't that eager to have your ML time clock begin sooner than it should. Right now if things go well, his stats will send him to the Texas League All Star Game (he was rostered for high A All Star game last year but got called up before the game), so that would be a big feather in his cap for him.

No doubt there are rewards watching your son play at this level, but it has not been an easy road, it hasn't always been that fun, and very rarely is for most parents when your player has an injury. Takes a lot of maturity to handle all that is put on your plate. And for what it's worth it's a job, and it's big business, keep that in mind for the upcoming draft.

Thank you all for your support, kind emails and keeping up with his starts, that means a lot, more than you all might imagine.

Happy Memorial Day

Great game the other night, 8 strikeouts. They sent him back out in the 7th, with only 0ne ER Springfield was leading 3-2. One out and men on the corners. Tension here in the Kopp household.
Here's the story.
http://www.news-leader.com/article/20100527/SPORTS02/5270391/-1/BLOGS01/Kopp+impressive+in+Cardinals++win

Tomorrow the camo jersys are up for auction, my husband already put in his bid, working on second jersey worn by son. There are six in all to bid on this season, thank goodness it's all for charity!

Going away tomorrow for a 3 day trip that doesn't include watching baseball. Have a great holiday and stay safe!

Going away for a non baseball holiday I hope that all of you have a great and safe holiday!

Draft Day Right Around the Corner

Draft time right around the corner.
If your son is drafted, you most likely will be shocked at how little they want to offer your son to go play, perhaps to give up a good scholarship or for your son to not finish what he began (college). The money that they offer can sometimes be insulting to you and him, but here is something to think about.
I know of some players that took less because the team that drafted them was close to where they lived. A parent of a player I know told me that his son took what was offered with no negotiationg because they lived in Florida, spring training was in Florida along with one level of play and very close to home. That meant a lot of support, dinner often at home and home on days off. Of course this becomes a savings in a way.
After son's name was called, we kind of knew that day what he would sign for, and most likely he would have liked to have gotten a bit more as all players would like. That didn't happen. However, the location proved that a few thousand dollars more meant more than money in the bank. This should be a part of the consideration when talking to teams. The closer the team to where you and his family are, the more attractive that team that is talking to your son or drafts your son should be. I can tell you there is nothing better than being close, and after being so close to us for a few seasons, I know that son finds his journey lonely at times for those close to him. For some strange reason though, I know of a lot of situations where teams draft players and at least one level or the big league level is close to where they live or perhaps the spring training complex. I don't know if that is done on purpose or that is just the way it works out.

Springfield had a great run while at home, but going to Tulsa proved otherwise. The first 3 games weren't good, son took his first loss, but they finally won today and avoided a sweep.

A day off tomorrow and they resume play in Springfield, against Corpus Christi and San Antonio, son actually looking forward to that homestand, he has a few friends on each team and two former college teammates on another. That means dinner out with old friends and familiar faces.

Life in AA

Every team has different way of doing things, and all managers are different and have different expectations. I suspect that the manager for Springfield is being groomed for the highest level, people talk that he will be TLR's replacement someday. Therefore, you do what is expected of you and even more than you have to.
Players have to report everyday at 3 for 7 pm games, earlier for day games mine comes an hour or more because he has specific excercises he needs to accomplish each and everyday to prevent further problems. Pitchers have PFP's almost everyday (pitchers fielding practice) or their bullpen, and on game day they are allowed to come later (as they do not participate in PFP drills). Before each game, the clubby cooks a meal and after each game a meal is donated by a restaurant, so therefore they get two full meals a day at home, and on the road as well. They do pay for this, but very minimal compared to meals out like at the high A level (one meal a day). The clubby takes very good care of them and there is always more than enough food, snacks at the players disposal. Think of it as you feeding your player and making sure he gets a good meal before the game. Only this is for 30+ every gameday.
I have only seen pictures of the locker room and it is big and beautiful, with leather couches and tables, where players spend time playing cards, games or just relaxing before they have fielding practice or a game. Gate entrance is one hour before the game, and practices are closed. The stadium also has an indoor facility for practice with batting cages, used also by Southern Missouri State.
Living arrangements are very nice, a very nice 3 bedroom apartment includes everything, with only 3 players living there, some guys team up 4 or 5, it all depends on your finances. Most players use their bonus money to live a little more comfortably, in actuality that is should be used for. The only time they go out to eat is after an earlier game, or on days off, all go home directly after a game, I am told that is what they are instructed to do, and it takes a while to chill out and wind down after a game. I never call son in the morning, he usually emerges in daylight by 12-1 pm.
This year they eliminated the sleeper buses, and now the team takes two busses and each player gets 3 seats across, the sleepers were kind of "creepy" and too small for those big guys, they felt like they were sleeping in a box!

Camo Jersey

Don't you just LOVE IT!

Springfield and AA Ball

The other day watching a game, I commented to myself after watching 3 teams play this past week, that although most of these players are very, very good and belong where they are at this moment in time, most will never see a ML field. There just isn't room at the top for everyone. Regardless of where my own player is at this point, we still agree that college was his best option, after HS. I just wanted to mention that again, I know that draft time is approaching, it's important to discuss with your son what he really wants to do and understand the implications for all decisions.

Springfield provided an insite into the game at the AA level and all of the bells and whistles of milb baseball as entertainment, where in the FSL league, pretty much not much happening in the way of making it interesting to the fans and the players. There was always something going on, one of my favorites was the player interviews on the scoreboard, where they ask silly questions and the players have to think fast. In sons case, they asked about favorite dream girl, son's response was he hoped his fiance wasn't listening when he gave his answer. We got a big kick out of that and so did Lauren.

We got a grand tour one night of the behind the scenes operations that go on at Hammons Field and met all of the announcers, writers and everyone else who works hard each night for 3-5 hours to keep fans in their seats and the history behind Hammons field. Even with a rain delay one afternoon, 13 innings one night, many fans always remained until the very end. Friday night is fireworks night, and due to the time frame, they had to set them off before 11 pm (city ordinance). Everything seemed orchestrated and the fans love the games and events that take place between each inning. The 7th inning stretch is designated by the Budweiser Clydsdales pulling the wagons on the screen, something in which all cardinal fans relate to. Also I learned that the Titanic was built in that area, so each night up on teh board are trivia questions regarding the famous ship.

Two days and three days before each pitcher pitches, they have to chart, and the day before their start, at home, they have to catch the first pitch (which can become 4 or 5 first pitches). On saturday, they wore camo jerseys for military appreciation day, and Dave caught to some top brass in the military and a 4 star general, the day after they pitch, each pitcher has to greet fans as they come into the gate, on Monday was Dave's greet day, mini bat giveaway, he was signing those bats like crazy, taking pictures with fans. I think that was my husbands favorite, although we have seen in before, it's quite a humbling experience to see your son stand there with a line in front of him. Fan adoration, it's part of the game and these players are being taught how to take care of business with fans.

The weather was beyond horrible, miraculously every night the rain stopped and they played ball, however, on Sunday with a 2 pm game and son pitching we weren't sure if there would be a game, then the sun came out, and after 3 scoreless innings there was a delay. He was on a clock 45 minutes before being pulled and just made it back out for two more scoreless innings. Below is the article about his game.

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20100517/SPORTS02/5170342/1002/SPORTS/Kopp-s-return-inspires-Cardinals

Of course that game made our trip all worth while. :)

Because of where we sat, most people who attend every game figure out pretty quickly that you are a player's parent, and we were showered with pictures taken by them of our players, extra attention from the attendants for that area and the vendors as well. Everyone really made us (other parents there too) feel special. It really was a wonderful feeling, and pretty proud feeling that the person you have raised is looked up to by young players and appreciated by older fans. They want to ask a lot of questions, politely, and we didn't mind answering. They want to know some things, like pitch counts, if they are single or married, have children, where they went to school, where they fell in the draft (although most of them knew they still want to ask you).

I do apologize for the long delay, but it was a busy week with no time to sit down and gather thoughts (and way too tired).
It was a great week, will report tomorrow!

Springfield Here We come

Lauren and I leave for Springfield in the morning, looking forward to the trip, but not the 1200+ miles to bring the truck. Oh well, that's what parents and wives and fiances do for their milb players.

Dave got his 3rd win yesterday, really pitched a gem, really beginning to manage his games much better. He retired 10 of the last 11 he faced and he went 7 innings. His ERA is 3.19 (or close to that) down from 9.0. A very respectable ERA for a starter for his league. He's very tired, it's a grind and it's only May.

Hope all of your players are doing well. Will report on AA ball as soon as I can.

Been another busy week, getting ready to head to Springfield. Dave pitches tomorrow, he has been pitching on Mother's Day for years, ironic how that happens.

Interesting thing I heard on ESPN, pitching in MLB making a strong comeback. Less runs this year, more complete games. Does that mean that the absence of steroids has had an effect?

Springfield is playing 500 ball right now, and the way tonight is going maybe not by the end of the game. Long season but they are falling behind.
The ironic thing is that the two players on the 40 man roster are not producing. The team added them to protect them in the rule 5 draft. That is supposed to be legit prospects.

Dave had a friend released the other day. Injury issues have been bothering him for a few years. This player was drafted the year Dave was, moved to AA quickly his first full season. Just goes to show, you never know, it's a guessing game, you see someone who is considered a prospect, the next year they are gone.

Drug use in milb

The dirty side of baseball. Dirty secrets that most parents whose sons play won't talk about. Players use all sorts of drugs, clean up for spring training, then go back to using only to hope they won't get caught. So far this year there have been 21 or 22 suspensions, early into the season.

When Dave was in HS, I read a book I have recommended to others called "Official Visit". Pretty basic on the ins and out of being recruited.
The author is a resident of Key West, whose son was playing at UF when Dave was being recruited there. The player is Ben Harrison, a now free agent, just suspended 100 games for violations of the milb drug prevention and treatment program, including the purchase and the use of amphetamines. 100 games means your second time in violation at 26,27 years old, doubt he will ever be signed again.

Harrison was drafted out of UF , .343, 40HR,192 RBI and 37 steals in 4 years. He was drafted in the 7th round in 2004 by Texas, a 2008 Texas League All Star, and was most recently a member of the Florida Marlins.

Sad.

I wanted to bring this article to your attention about son's teammate.

http://www.news-leader.com/article/20100503/BLOGS01/100503011/-1/blogs01/Cards+need+Gorgen+to+be+today+s+stopper

Do you need velocity at that level to get people out, no, but you better have a devastating off speed to keep batters looking foolish

BTW, he won the game today, his 5th win in 5 starts, leading the Texas League.

Draft stuff

There is nothing more shocking then going to a practice or scimage in HS before season and finding about 20+ scouts in the stands waiting to watch your player pitch.

Funny though, I found out a few days later they came out to see the kid that got almost a full scholarship to CU (that signals good player) and recruited by Kevin O'Sullivan, not because of some glowing report from Baseball America or Perfect Game. Curiosity for them and the beginning of a new experience for us. I do admit it was fun coming to games he would pitch and seeing the familiar faces from the game before, it was a heady time and the other players and their parents enjoyed it too. This meant a lot of hamburgers to be sold and the concession stand proceeds that season were booming. Love those guys, they come hungry and they don't stop eating.

We even got set up by Sully by one scout, bless his heart, he was going to do anything he could to get Dave to Clemson. One night a young scout came over, and kept asking Dave what he would sign for, what he wanted, over and over. It was annoying and Dave threw out a number for him to just shut up. The next day Dave gets a call from Sully, YOU told that scout you would sign for XX? Come to Clemson, I'll get you more if that's what you want. Now some people might say the nerve of him, but in reality, going to work with him was the best choice, and most agreed. That's my draft story.

BTW, a few years later the same scenerio began, we'd go to CU home games and the stands were full of scouts, but by that time it wasn't really important, I figured what would be would be. And for what it's worth, son did get more than what he told the scout (that one) he would sign for.

So if this is going on right now and you are sitting and wondering where he might fall or what he is worth, the following is my opinion on that.

Let's take Porcello, as a pitcher he was one of the best in his year, he fell in the draft due to signability (strong college commitment which meant big scholly money), but he got what he wanted, and probably what he was worth. Why? He was a pitcher with 94-95 velocity, great mechanics and threw 3-4 very good graded pitches for strikes, he was very close to the ML level. That's what gets you a high draft pick and major money. I know that we all see our sons as very very good, but in reality and I have had to do reality checks, most of our sons coming out of HS, have a long road to travel. I am not sure what makes a HS hitter a top pick, but I am sure that it is the same, they have more skill and more tools and grade out high (on the ML grading scale).

So step back and take a look at your player, if you feel that he should be drafted high, and you haven't had agents or scouts, or GM's knocking on your door, most likely he's not going to be. In other words, is your pitcher as good as Rick Porcello?

My advice is that this is a good time to stop worrying about what he might decide (go pro or not) and just enjoy the ride. You will look back on this and understand, it's something we all learn, you just can't predict what is going to happen. I thought that my son was a very very good pitcher out of HS, but he needed LOTS of work. I understand now why he was a 7-10 projected pick.

The nerve of those guys, Dad thought that he was much better than that!!!!!! :)

Sorry for the delay. Lots of stuff going on, so haven't had much time to sit and gather thoughts.

Springfield didn't fair too well against Northwest Arkansas at home, hoping to split the series, they took the loss last night. I won't go into much of the details, but DK put in 6 scoreless innings and walked away up 2-0. The bullpen blew up, and 5 runs that scored after that were all unearned. Too many errors on routine plays.

It was a big game for DK, pitching against the Royals top pick from 2009 (Aaron Crow) and he did well and is happy with his performance (and so were we and his manager and pitching coach), but another no decision. As a friend said to me, baseball is a business and he took care of his, that is so true! He went another 6 and hit his highest pitch count since the beginning of the season, too many walks, but that's gonna happen, he pitches low and inside often and sometimes it's just too low and sometimes it's just too inside.

Thursday night is dollar bratwurst nights, so you can imagine the attendance, Dave loves it. They also have HR derby night and run the bases during innings, holds the game up a bit, pitchers don't love that. But that's part of milb, entertainment and cheap food for the whole family.

Heading to Springfield on the 11th, gave in and bringing up the truck. Looking forward to it and to reporting back on my first AA game!

I have had some emails regarding the upcoming draft, picking up on some topics, so I will do that, please send emails for anything you want to discuss, I'll do my best, but please remember it is from a parent's perspective.

The draft is a bit more than a month away, that seems close, but really it's not. Many, many things will change, many top plyers will falter and many unknowns will move ahead. You'll see, that's how it happens. My son's agent told me that the last thing that a scout, a crosschecker or a GM remembers about a player is the last performance. Keep that in mind. During the ACC championship in 2007, son pitched a gem, his first complete game, one run scored late in the game, 121 pitches. The pitcher he was pitching against had not lost a game all year. That following week, son's stock went up and that pitchers stock went down.

The image added is from last nights game, Dave and pitching coach Denis Martinez.

Pitch and Hit Night

When two national teams get together in AA, the pitchers hit, so tonight Dave was in the lineup.

Dave had 3 plate experiences and got on base all three times, on a bunt past the pitcher, single and a walk. His BA is 1.000 and so his his OB% but they don't keep those stats for pitchers. Game went well, he got the W, broke two bats (pitching way inside) and working on throwing first pitch strikes, and it sounded like he was pounding the zone pretty well. I watched the ERA go up and down, but overall with a 11-4 win and Springfield record of 11-4 things are going well for the team. One more night in Tulsa and then back home.

When Dave was at Clemson, his teammate's dad used to come down to work with the pitchers. His dad is Bryan Harvey, ex MLP now the pitching coach for the Rockies AA team. Dave said it was great to meet up with him, for as many players Dave has played with, either in HS, travel team, at school or at the cape, it's always fun to run into a friend and familiar face.

NFL draft

Have been pretty interested in the NFL draft and where players that were big stars in college were drafted. Pretty different than the MLB draft, as these players have already done their apprentice time in college and go to work right away, but as always the creme gets the first picks. It was great watching CJ Spiller (Clemson) get a top spot, and Gruden predicts him to be the NFL rookie of the year. He just missed being a candidate for the Heisman and drafted before others for consideration, which goes to show, just like in baseball, the best stats from college (or HS) doesn't mean that you are going to excel at the next level. And of course, injuries will always pull you down lower than your actual talent deserves to be picked at.

Speaking of injuries, there is a player drafted last year by the cards, 4th round paid 75K, who was predicted to move quickly through the system as a reliever ( not high velo but a devastating cut FB). His low signing bonus was due to an injury that everyone knew about, the cards tried rehab, but to no avail had surgery on his capsule this week. Have no idea when he will or if he will ever return.

Dave takes the bump tonight, Springfield has a 10-4 record, won 3 in a row, let's keep it that way son. :)

There he is, have no clue about that thing on his face! Ugh!

The cardinals allow facial hair, but has to be neatly groomed and no one in the organization is allowed a Tim Lincecum doo. They are what you would say old school, but Dave is used to that from Clemson. A very good friend of mine told me the older the organization, with more history, the more they have their certain way of doing things. Like pants rolled up for milb players, that goes for everyone, coaches and managers included. You don't see that in every organization, the Marlin milb guys (some of them) don't roll their pants up. Of course they don't have the fancy socks (that look like stirrups) like the cards do. :)

The team is doing well and Paul said that this is the first time since college that he's heard him so excited about "winning". I think that a lot has to do with the atmosphere, 7-8K in attendance, promotions, loyal fans that love you no matter what you do, he didn't have that in the FSL. A few hundred here or there in the stand, a bit busier when they played the Marlins.

The boys have off tomorrow then a short 4 hour trip to Oklahoma to play the Tulsa Drillers, DK pitches on saturday.

Draft Stuff

Yes sireeee a good day for the Springfield Cardinals.

http://springfield.cardinals.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100418&content_id=9411574&vkey=news_t440&fext=.jsp&sid=t440

Just wanted to write some stuff about the draft. IMO, don't ever try to figure it out.
Teams are still out watching players, I read yesterday where a scouting director was at the UVA game, pretty much indicates there is someone there who is going to be drafted high, or he wouldn't be there. But the draft is weeks away, things change, and not until teams get together and plan out their draft board (week of the draft), no one knows anything. Pre draft deals used to be done, I doubt that anyone now with the way the NCAA is on everyone's back that this is done (maybe). My son had 2 friends drafted first round, they didn't know anything until their names were called, no discussion beforehand about money, but both had indicated they were going to sign (college juniors), I guess that's what teams want to know, are you going to sign quickly or is it going to be long and drawn out. The best thing to do is follow some of teh info provided on sites such as PGCrosschecker, they indicated son would be around 81st, and they were not far off (at 71). That's the only way you might be able to figure it out and gives you an idea of where you might fall. Maybe.
My son's advisor is one of those who believe that, it is in a players best interest to sign quickly and get out and play asap. wasted time is wasted money, myson likes that philosophy. Many of his players have gotten good money to sign, but in reality the real stuff comes later when they help to negotiate your contract. That to me is what is important, for those that have advisors, what can you do for me later, will you sitck by me even when hurt, and do you beleive that I have the stuff for the highest level or am I just good for you to collect some money when I am drafted. Keep that in mind.
For those interested this is how son's last draft went, he was at practice in Mississippi for the super regionals, he got a phone call around the 68th pick by the Cardinals to tell him that he would be their next pick was he willing to take slot money (which was down that year 10%). He had an idea of which teams were interested, but had not heard from the Cardinals until the day before that they were interested, he never even met his drafting scout until he got to his first spring training. So it doesn't matter who you talk to, who said what, who came to a game or didn't, it all comes down on draft day.
A few months before the draft, I got a call from the yankee area scout in South Carolina, looking for son, who had not answered his phone because he was in practice. He wanted to make sure he had the right number, and went on to tell me how much the organization loved him, how they wanted him to be a yankee, blah, blah. Perhaps they were going to draft him, but someone got him first. I also found out later that the mets had a huge interest, he would have been their next pick at pick 77. But no one form the mets organization called him to tell him they were going to draft him, again that's just how it goes. So don't expect the scout to call, telling you that you might be drafted, what round, perhaps until a few names before they want you, or not at all. Scouts have no clue and have no authority to tell you were you will be drafted, perhaps a call the night before (as the padres did when son in HS) to see if you are still hot on going to school or going pro, remember it's about signability.

A Happy Dad

When DK played in Omaha, he was given his home jersey with the ACC championship and CWS patch. This was a big deal to my husband, one of those keepsakes that you keep until your son has a family of his own to share with someday. He also inherited most of the purple and orange t-shirts, running shorts, underarmours as well as hats, hats and more hats.

So recently at lunch when up to see DK, Paul was wondering where his Palm Beach Cardinal practice jersey was (since son was moving up).

It went like this...

P: So can I have your practice jersey?

D: No dad, my practice stuff follows me wherever I go (red).

P: So can I have your Palm Beach Cardinals jersey?

D: No dad, they recycle those. You can go to the gift shop and buy a replica jersey.

P: But it had your name on the back and I want one that you wore.

D: Sorry dad, they take the names off and they don't give out jerseys for you to keep.

P: Oh (damn).

So today, when son gets to the locker room, there awaiting for him is his comemorative jersey to be worn today, and to be auctioned off during the game for the Haitian Relief efforts, you know like the big boys did.

DK takes a pic, sends it to daughter who sends it to dad, who sends it to me. I see it and tell Paul, "all of those player's jerseys are being auctioned off today during game time" (you could bid or buy it outright for $200).

Guess who finally has a Cardinals jersey worn by son? :)

Opening Day at Hammons field

Below is an article from the News-Leader in Springfield.
Dave has never had much press written about him, and lately because at this point most think he's not a true prospect anymore. Two surgeries means you are slightly damaged goods to many. DK sent it to me the other night, as I decided I wasn't going to read any of that stuff this year.
http://www.news-leader.com/article/20100415/SPORTS02/4150387/1002/SPORTS/Cards-rotation-seeks-to-enter-prospect-radar-for-thin-farm-system

Nice article, however there is something I would like to point out. Two of the 5 pitchers have had some really serious issues, one a psychological problem where he couldn't throw the ball without hitting someone( the yips) and another an addiction problem. The organization worked with them both, so I don't want anyone to think that players are regularly discarded like a piece of paper in the trash. If someone has given you money, they are going to try everything in their power to make it work, as long as you also show the effort. If you haven't been given the money, they will try to make it work also if you show that you also want to make it work.

Springfield is off to a good start, considering the farm is thinned out with real "prospects". I think a lot also has to do with the management, I do beleive the manager at AA will someday replace TLR. The cards have a certain way of doing things (like every organization), especially the TLR way and I do believe Ron "PoP" Warner does it that way too. Dave likes him alot, he said he is a player's manager, you don't always find that to be the case. DK has been very fortunate to have some really good coaching and managers, he didn't always like all of them, but none the less they were all top notch.

Opening day was fun, as related to me and from listening on the radio, the players got paraded around in red cars, the entire stadium was filled with everyone wearing red. The cards do a good job, it's the closest team to the home team, so tht means lots of fans attend nightly.

For those that have been asking, the next start is Sunday afternoon.........

A call up

Today the AAA Memphis catcher got a call up to the ML game because Jason La Rue is hurt. When I spoke to DK he said some guys were coming over to see if he gets in, these guys live for this stuff, someone gets hurt, that means a chance, they love watching their teammates and friends get the chance.
Back home and into their new apartment, trip to the grocery store, hook up the x box and check out if the beds were big and comfy enough, and a reminder that tomorrow is opening night at Hammons field, big night.

Son also had to tell me that Lauren will be up mid May, we can come up in June.

Thanks son, I guess we know your priorities. :)

First road series finished

The cardinals lost tonight but had a pretty good road series with a record of 3-3 and won one of the series they played while away. Tonight after the game they will shower, pack up, eat and drive 14 hours back to Springfield for their first home series on Thursday, then leave again in another week for another road trip.
That's just the way it will be for the rest of the summer.

Ugh!

DK has always had a rough start out of the box, no excuses but a lot of it has to do with a lot of adrenaline pumping and a live arm that is sometimes hard to control but last night was THE worst I can ever remember. He's been working on it through breathing excercises and mental preparation, but I guess last night was just one of those nights. He was missing by a hair, and that becomes frustrating, and he is one of those that needs to have complete control and forgets there are 8 other players behind him.
But the good part was he settled down nicely, after teh firs tinning, he adjusted, unfortunetly at the end of the 4th inning his team was ahead, but he had almost reached his max pitch count, so he had to be replaced and he didn't get the win. Something he will have to learn to work on, and I am hoping with the first start done and over, he's over it. He's a pitch hit groundout pitcher, all he has to do is let them hit it, who cares about how many you strike out! Let your defense do the work!

He didn't get ragged on because he did make the adjustment, and that is what this game is all about, making adjustments, if you can't do that, learn from your bad days, you will never move forward, and this is why most don't move forward. Luckily he's got a lot of velocity, so sometimes that makes it forgiving. Even at the AA level there is lots ot learn.

The good thing is that we haven't heard one thing about the arm, so that in itself is a plus. :)

Springfield has a young team, they seem to be coming together, which is good because it's a looooooong season ahead.

milb levels

I realized last night while chatting with someone on facebook, not everyone is familiar with the different levels found in milb.
That's ok, I didn't know either at one time. :)
So here ya go.
Instructional league, that is also known as complex league, found at each (most)teams spring training facilities. Most HS players getting drafted head to instructional league. For most teams, this is where they also bring in their young dominican and venezualan players for the summer.

Single low A, this might include a rookie level, short season (where most 4 year college players go when drafted) and full season. Every team is different as to where they send their newly drafted players and in some cases their college guys. Some teams have rookie level, some don't, some have short season and others don't. Then there is high A.

Then comes AA and last but not least AAA also known as the parking lot. Here is where you wait to be called up, and sometimes it takes years before that happens (as in the case of Dirk, the non prospect). Most of the players in AAA become organizational guys or reserves. They can get called up and optioned out (sent back) numerous times in a year but after 3 years must be placed on the 40 man or given free agency.

As you move up there becomes a difference, the hitters are more patient and the pitchers are more polished and throw more pitches in the game. For most teams, you have to master a level before you are moved, which means a year. Most levels are age appropriate, except at the AAA level. In other words an 18 year old out of HS will not be playing with 23-30 year olds, unless he's a Rick Porcello. :)

Springfield won 2 in a row, now 2-2.

Bits and Pieces

While watching the AAA Memphis Redbirds last night (they won in 19 innings) I figured out ( I think correctly) not including my son, 16 former CU teammates are playing pro ball, that's pretty amazing. Two are ML players. Many in AA or above. Most were recruited by Kevin O'Sullivan (Florida Gators Head Coach). There have been other teammates, but they have either been released or moved on. One is a college coach, and another the baseball trainer at UT. Pretty talented group of players. Most of them had no pro interest before college or went undrafted. Things can change in a few years. And for what it's worth, probably the most successful pitcher in the program could never get past low A. That just goes to show that successful college players don't always make successful pro pitchers.

Son's team is 0-2 but have not gone without a fight, so I am hoping for a win soon. The Texas League is pretty tough, parks are hitters park, huge. The hitters are now patient at this point, they don't swing away at just anything. According to what my player says, for most pitchers if they can make it past that league to AAA they are almost there. That's encouraging.

Tyler Colvin

Just for the record, I am not negative about the pro game or pro experience.

It does have it's rewards.

Tonight we watched son's Clemson teammate, Tyler Colvin, on TV. Tyler was drafted by the Cubs in 2006, as their #1 pick. This spring, he lead all major league players in hits. He hit a HR on Thursday.

As far as I know, Tyler wasn't a draft consideration out of HS. Some how when no one was looking, he managed to move up the ladder. He didn't even play in the best leagues in summer ball. In the beginning of his junior year, he wasn't even ranked as high as a first round, first pick would be expected. But he had a monster year, and was a tremedous force in helping the team win our regional, super regional to get to Omaha. He quietly accepted what most first picks of a team probably wouldn't accept without further negotiation. But with 3 years of college under his belt, the money really didn't matter, what did matter was to sign quickly and get to work, which he did. Unfortunetly, he hit his elbow by accident his second year in pro ball and tore his UCL, had TJ surgery, so that set him back a while, then had some back issues and struggled, before going upto AAA. Last year he got a cll up for a few games. But this spring, now healthy, he ripped it up. We got a kick hearing about him sunday night pregame on ESPN.

Tyler was raised by his grandparents, two of the nicest, sweetest people you have ever met. A few weeks before spring training, his grandmother passed away. I am so sorry she was not able to be here to see her grandson (who she called her son) begin the 2010 season on the 25 man roster.


So how rewarding is that, watching your sons friend on TV?

Going pro after High School

Ok, so your players dream and goal is to play proball. The reality of this happening becomes quite real when you get those questionares in the mail, when the scouts begin to show up at games, begin calling home asking for home visits, etc., etc. The anxiety sets in when you think that this could possibly happen, the talk becomes serious, and for those coming out of HS it can become a big dilemma of what should he do or not do.

This is a very personal decision between the player and his family and his particular circumstances. Although I strongly believe that for most players, going to college first is the better option, it is and always should be a personal choice, not what someone else did or recommends. Everyone's situation is different.

For those that don't know, my son signed to go to school for a 90% scholarship, that right there put up a big concern for scouts, called signability. My son was a bit behind the 8 ball with that much in scholarship money, they knew that it would take a lot for him to give up going to Clemson, playing in the ACC under an A+ pitching coach and a successful head coach. Although he told most scouts he would consider going pro, I don't think that most really beleived him. They also knew that his parents were college educated and strongly believed that education is very important, so that was a negative also. We also were pretty honest, and probably pretty unrealistic (as most are) as to what it would take to sign out of HS (lots of money). Reality is, my son wasn't worth what he felt he wanted, and that is what it is all about. He had one offer to go pro, from the yankees, 125-150K and school, but not 90% of 3 years at Clemson. That amount for a projectible pitcher, throwing 90+ with more in the tank wasn't going to cut it for him. When he said no thank you, the scout said, good choice. He also was told that from quite a few other scouts, go to school, grow up, get bigger, get stronger, get faster, get most of your education and see what happens in 3 years. Most of them said, if you have it now, you will have it later. Just hope and pray you remain healthy. But we beleived that one has to move forward NOT being fearful but with positive thoughts, what will be will be.

Coming out of HS, son was ranked among the top 50 players in the country from his grad year, that changed weekly according to what publication you read or what scout talked to another. His projection was 5,6-10th round (the 125-150K was about 7th round money at that time). As much as I love Sully, I realize now with his contacts, he was most likely telling scouts, don't draft him. I asked him about that once, he just smiled his Sully smile and chuckled. Although we sought the advice of an advisor, the one person my son really liked said that he would NOT advise him out of HS. I didn't realize until later than he was a Clemson graduate, former player and drafted out of the program, and a very good friend of the Clemson coaches. But when all was said and done, when son was not drafted and showed up on campus, so did the advisor, who advised him through college and now his agent. For my son, going to school was a very good option, winning an ACC shampionship, playing in Omaha, playing at the cape, plus experiencing college life made saying no all worthwhile. He managed to stay healthy throughout college, and got drafted much higher than he would have out of HS. So for us, coming out of college with no debt, for him a second round recognition, and a nest egg was worth waiting 3 years, but I do realize, not all players have the win win situation he had.

As you go through this process, as a parent there are a few things I strongly suggest. First ask a lot of questions, all teams do things differently with young players. For example, the cards have an actual "rookie" team in the appalachian league that the player can go to, that is why so many from HS sign, some don't play in these types of leagues, so the player remains in their complex league. Complex ball is not a lot of fun. Up early, games within the league played early with long afternoons and evenings ahead of you. No one comes to watch.

Ask where each league is located, is sending your HS son across the country with no family close by going to make him happy, they all get homesick. Very homesick, even my college player going to the Penn League was homesick (not for home but for his coaches, friends at Clemson).

Is your player mature enough to go to work, because as great as it sounds, it's your job, you have to show up everyday, there's no calling in sick. Realize that baseball is an opportunity, but all opportunities are based upon your worth to the team and how they do business. And remember if you don't like your employer, you are not afforded the opportunity to go looking for another (employer).

Someone told my son something once, think about what might happen later on, if you are unhappy with the choice you made, would you rather be unhappy in school or unhappy stuck in the middle of nowhere. Of course my son's answer was that money would make him less unhappy, but he wasn't going to get what he wanted to make him happy. Money out of HS was the only motivation for him to sign. Some may say he really didn't want to play pro ball, but it is just that he took a different path.

Familiarize yourself with draft slotting, if there is talk he may fall in one round, understand that the bonus money can drop significantly after a certain round. Of course there are some players drafted low, who do end up getting what they want, but they should have been an early pick to begin with, they just fell in the draft, most likely for signabilty reasons.

Use an advisor only if your son needs one. That sounds strange but true, most do not need one to advise on the process, and make sure you trust that person. Too many stories of advisors talking to teams (which is actual representation), too many changes in the NCAA's stronger stance of what one can and can't do. Understand that for the advice given, your son will pay 4% (maybe less) if he agrees to use his services as an agent and sign. Is that advice going to be worth giving up some of his bonus money, he will need to depend on. I do suggest if anyone signs to make sure that agent is qualified to do business with MLB, that means at least ONE player on the 40 man roster. Some of these agents, have a stable of young ponies, but no real race horse (if you get what I mean), therefore, they cannot talk to anyone about your son. And a time may come when someone needs to talk to someone. The great part about having an agent you trust and knows his stuff is the he will be there for you asap when you call him, and that you can go about your job and he can take care of the baseball business. Priceless, IMO.

So I guess by now, you have figured out that I am for going to college first, but there are exceptions (nice bonus money) and sometimes position.

Let the games begin

Tonight is fan appreciation night in Springfield at Hammonds Field, season ticket holders get to come out and watch the team practice, get autographs, pictures, free food, etc.
I found that out on the Springfield Cardinals site, when I talked to Dave last night, he had no clue. I guess they don't get told much, just show up when you are supposed to and play ball. That's the way it will be for the next 5 months. In one way, life is simple, people are doing things for you, you only have to worry about being where you are supposed to be when told, other than that you don't have to think much about anything else.
In the case of tomorrow, be at the field at 12 for a 7-8 bus hour ride to your first season game. That's a short trip, the longer ones to Texas run about 14-15 hours to the farthest desination, which is traveled at night, but in AA you get sleeper buses, last man who joins the team has to sleep on the floor, if there is more than 25, but I hear they share this, pitchers who have to pitch the next day get beds. I guess it's a team effort.
I spoke to son last night, he felt comfortable and actually felt like he never left (he was there for two months last season). He is looking forward to the fan support not found in Jupiter, better clubhouse food and not having to carry his own bags. :) That probably will be the last nice chat we will have for awhile once games begin, different time zone. We wait for him to call. But I get lots of info from Lauren. :0 And the coverage is pretty good, being very close to the big team, there's an excitement for many fans about seeing future redbirds play in Missouri. The cards farm system in general was ranked pretty low this year, so it should be interesting to see how they all do in comparison to other teams.

As expected, some players are showing up on the DL after spring training. That's how they manipulate the roster #'s, very interesting.